Baby New Year
The Baby New Year represents the beginning of the New Year and is a common figure in editorial cartoons. He symbolizes the "birth" of the coming year and the "passing" of the previous one, often interpreted as a form of "rebirth." His role varies across myths, but he typically performs ceremonial duties, such as documenting the year’s events or serving as a symbolic overseer.
| Names | Baby New Year, The New Year |
| Gender | Male ♂ |
| Race | Human, Angel |
| Occupation | Symbolic Overseer |
| Origin | Ancient Greece 3000 BC - 330 AD |
| Alignment | Good |
| Age | Up to 1 year |
| Created By | Ancient Greeks |
Appearance[edit | edit source]
The Baby New Year is typically portrayed as a chubby, cheerful baby boy dressed in a diaper, a top hat, and a sash bearing the current year's number. He often carries or is shown alongside symbolic objects such as an hourglass, a noisemaker, or a clock, emphasizing his connection to time and New Year's celebrations. While he is primarily depicted as an infant, he is often shown with toddler-like characteristics, such as the ability to stand or walk, and a small amount of blond hair is common in his design.
Personality[edit | edit source]
The Baby New Year’s personality is often left to interpretation, as he is more of a symbolic figure than a fully developed character. However, he is frequently associated with positive traits such as hope, joy, innocence, and renewal. These attributes align with the optimism and new beginnings traditionally celebrated during the New Year. Depending on the portrayal, he may also exhibit a playful, curious, or wise demeanor, reflecting his dual role as both a young child and a figure with symbolic authority over the year.
History[edit | edit source]
The tradition of using babies to represent the New Year dates back to ancient Greece, but the modern portrayal of the Baby New Year became popular in the early 20th century.
Legend[edit | edit source]
The most well-known myth about the Baby New Year is that he starts the year as an infant and rapidly ages, becoming elderly by the end of the year. He is often associated with Father Time, and by the year's conclusion, he passes his duties to the next Baby New Year. Some depictions show him resembling key events of his year. At this point, he either dies or retires in his elderly state.
Baby New Year Title[edit | edit source]
Beyond the mythical figure, the title "Baby New Year" is sometimes given to the first baby born in a village or city in the New Year. This honorary title can be bestowed on a baby of any gender, though the mythical Baby New Year is almost always male. Efforts have been made to designate a national Baby New Year, but due to multiple contenders, no single baby typically holds the title. Many hospitals have ceased announcing Baby New Year births publicly, citing concerns about the safety of the child.
